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Winnipeg Free Press
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
MLSE boss asks disgruntled Toronto FC fans to stick with the struggling MLS team
TORONTO – MLSE president and chief executive officer Keith Pelley has responded to fan frustration over Toronto FC's continued poor performances, acknowledging 'there is obviously much more to do' in the MLS club's rebuild. Pelley offered no panacea but asked supporters to stick with the struggling 1-6-4 team, which is currently 28th in the 30-team league and has not won at home since Sept. 14. TFC, which has not made the playoffs since 2020, has not scored in league play at home in 439 minutes, dating back to Deandre Kerr's goal April 5 in a 2-1 loss to Chicago. Some in the supporters section in the south stand of BMO Field walked out during the first half of Saturday's 2-0 loss to the New England Revolution in an apparent protest. A banner reading 'This Badge Don't Belong To You!!!' was unfurled at one point. Another banner read 'Accept Existence or Expect Resistance.' 'We hear you. We understand your frustration,' Pelley said in an email to season ticket-holders Monday. 'At the end of last season, I spoke about the fact that Toronto FC must undergo a full rebuild,' he continued. 'Some important steps have been taken, but there is obviously much more to do. The foundation for this rebuild is an ethos that will guide this club. not only this season but for many seasons ahead. An identity forged in pride and an unrelenting compete level. 'We have seen evidence of that identity and mindset taking root at times this season, although admittedly it was not at the level we expect in the two matches this past week. Our supporter groups expressed their frustration on Saturday and we not only respect that, we expect it when we fall short.' Toronto was ousted out of the Telus Canadian Championship in a penalty shootout loss to CF Montreal, which is winless and 29th in the MLS table, prior to the New England loss. Pelley said fan support is 'the most important part of this rebuild process.' 'We will stop at nothing to restore the pride in the Toronto FC badge and deliver you the winner that you deserve, but we need you there with us.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Injuries have not helped the Toronto cause with captain Jonathan Osorio, goalkeeper Luka Gavran, defenders Richie Laryea, Zane Monlouis, Henry Wingo, midfielders Markus Cimermancic, Derrick Etienne and forward Deandre Kerr all missing Saturday. There have been positive signs with Toronto rebounding from an 0-4-1 start with a four-game unbeaten run (1-0-3) — including draws with high-flying Vancouver, Inter Miami and Minnesota — before the 1-0 loss to visiting New York City FC that preceded the recent league and cup setbacks. May is an important month for Toronto, with six of seven games at home. Next up is Saturday's visit by D.C. United (3-5-3). — This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2025.
National Post
04-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Toronto FC still looking for first home win at home after losing to New England
Article content Another loss for Toronto FC. And yet another injury. Article content Article content The pain is mounting for Toronto (1-6-4), which continues its search for a first home win of the Major League Soccer season after a 2-0 loss to the resurgent New England Revolution on Saturday. Article content The final whistle was greeted by a chorus of boos from the announced crowd of 19,690 at BMO Field. Article content Carles Gil and Leo Campana scored for New England (5-4-1), which came into the game with just seven goals in its previous nine matches. The Revs could have added significantly more to that total had it not been for Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Article content Toronto coach Robin Fraser saw no silver linings on the day, seeing a regression in his team that came into the game having lost just one of its last five league outings (1-1-3), a 1-0 defeat at the hands of New York City FC last Saturday. Article content Fraser has not been helped by an ever-growing injury list. Article content Toronto' was missing captain Jonathan Osorio, backup goalkeeper Luka Gavran, defenders Richie Laryea, Zane Monlouis and Henry Wingo, midfielder Markus Cimermancic, midfielder/forward Derick Etienne Jr. and forward Deandre Kerr. Article content Add Nicksoen Gomis to the list after the defender went down in the 63rd minute in the Toronto penalty box with a non-contact injury. He had to be helped off the field, unable to put weight on his left leg. Article content Fraser, while yet to receive an official prognosis, said the injury seemed 'quite bad.' Article content Defender Sigurd Rosted had to come off at halftime, as did forward Ola Brynhildsen whose minutes are being limited after coming back from injury. And veteran defender Kevin Long remained on the bench, not ready to see action. Article content Toronto finished with Kosi Thompson, a midfielder converted to fullback, playing centre back alongside 18-year-old Lazar Stefanovic. Article content 'I don't want to make it sound like a pity party,' said Fraser. 'It is what it is and we are where we are and we still have an obligation to compete. That certainly won't change. Article content 'I was disappointed today because I think in the last six weeks or so this group — win, lose, draw — I've been really really proud of their level of engagement. And I thought today was a bit of a lapse.' Article content After a 1-4-1 start to the season, New England has won four straight by blanking Atlanta, New York City FC, Charlotte FC and now Toronto. The Revs, having switched to a back three, extended their shutout streak to 385 minutes in front of Slovenian goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic. Article content In contrast, Toronto has not scored in league play at home in 439 minutes, dating back to Deandre Kerr's goal April 5 in a 2-1 loss to Chicago. TFC is 0-3-2 at BMO Field this season with its last home win Sept. 14, a 2-1 decision over Austin FC. Article content While Toronto had plenty of the ball in the first half, it was New England that took advantage of its chances.
Winnipeg Free Press
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Facing a busy home schedule, Toronto FC looks to turn BMO Field games into points
TORONTO – Having finally ended a season-opening eight-game winless streak with a 1-0 decision last week at Real Salt Lake, Toronto looks for its first victory at home when New York City FC visits Saturday. Toronto (1-4-4) is 0-1-2 at BMO Field, playing Vancouver and Minnesota to scoreless draws and losing 2-1 to the Chicago Fire. While TFC has not lost at home since the March 15 Chicago defeat, it has not scored in the last 259 minutes at BMO Field. Deandre Kerr, currently out injured, has the lone Toronto goal at home. Success at home is timely, given eight of TFC's next nine games in all competitions — and 10 of the next 12 — are at BMO Field. 'We'd certainly like to feel like if we take care of our home games, we put ourselves firmly in the mix,' Toronto coach Robin Fraser said after training Friday. 'So this is an opportunity for us and we know it.' Toronto has not won at home since Sept. 24, a 2-1 league win over Austin FC. Veteran defender Kevin Long looks to build on the Salt Lake victory, while offering a splash of reality. 'There was a lot of last-ditch defending, which we needed,' he said of the game, which saw Salt Lake outshoot Toronto 23-2 (6-1 in shots on target). 'We've played a lot better than that and got nothing from the game. 'It's our first win and we want to build on that now.' Coming off a 2-0 loss at New England, NYCFC (3-4-2) has just one win in its last five games (1-3-1). The New Yorkers have yet to win on the road this season at 0-3-2. 'Honestly, this is a key match for us after coming off a loss,' said New York forward Agustin Ojeda. 'It's a chance to turn things around and position ourselves well in the standings. Of course, there's still a long way to go but we always want to be up there, fighting among the top teams.' Costa Rican forward Alfonso Martínez's five goals lead NYCFC and are tied for fifth in MLS, two behind league leader Tai Baribo of Philadelphia. Kerr and Federico Bernardeschi lead Toronto with two goals apiece. Fraser knows what to expect Saturday. 'Year-in, year-out, their personnel changes, their coaches change but their DNA always seems to be the same,' he said. 'They have good players. They have players who can make plays. They are inventive in the way that they play and the way that they move. For me, it's another New York City team that's a good team.' In addition to Kerr, Toronto is still missing injured defenders Richie Laryea, Zane Monlouis, Nicksoen Gomis and Henry Wingo. Forward Ola Brynhildsen is 'in contention' to play Saturday after an 18-minute cameo off the bench in Utah. There was bad blood the last time TFC and NYCFC met, a 3-2 Toronto win at BMO Field in May 2024. The teams clashed after the final whistle, resulting in a rolling maul that numbered some 30 players and staff at one point. The post-game melee prompted a string of suspensions and a war of words. Then-Toronto coach John Herdman and captain Jonathan Osorio said the ill-will stemmed back to a 2-1 loss at Yankee Stadium on March 16, alleging a Toronto player was punched in the face by then-NYCFC coach Nick Cushing at halftime in the stadium tunnel. Cushing denied hitting anyone. Some four weeks later, the league released a short statement on the affair, confirming that an altercation that started on the field continued into the stadium tunnels in the first game and after the second game. No additional sanctions were imposed other than the coaches and executives from both clubs were required to meet with MLS commissioner Don Garber 'to discuss league expectations for behaviour and conduct.' Cushing is now interim manager of Manchester City women's side. NYCFC and Man City share the same ownership. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. NYCFC announced Friday it had signed midfielder Aiden O'Neill from Belgian side Standard Liège through 2028. The 26-year-old Australian International signed before the close of the MLS's primary transfer window Wednesday and will join the club upon receipt of his visa. The New Yorkers come into weekend play in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, four places and four points ahead of Toronto. TFC is winless in the last four regular-season meetings (0-3-1) with NYCFC and is 6-9-7 all-time against the New Yorkers. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2025.
